Wednesday, January 31, 2007

I had every intention of passing on some of these things sometime between Friday and posting the Wednesday Hero post, but ended up spending two days trying to repair whatever my daughter had done to mess up Real Player, Itunes, AND her IPOD,lol. I still don't know what I did to fix everything? but I did finally get it all working correctly again :)

First of all, a big WELCOME HOME! to Bruce of Bruce's Deployment to Afghanistan I looked forward to his weekly posts and his fantastic pictures, and it's so nice to know he's on his way home.

Then, some news from JP at Milblogging.com (and I know everyone has probably already seen this, since I'm so slow in posting) He is getting deployed again. Milblogging.com Webmaster Announcement He and his family will most assuredly be moving up on our prayer list!

Under the heading of Remembering Our Wounded and Ill Veterans, I was recently contacted by a Desert Storm veteran. He is in Indianopolis, and I wanted to pass on the word about a fundraiser that is being held for him

That's pretty far from my neck of the woods, but please feel free to copy this and spread the word about this. And THANK YOU, Robin, for your service to our country!

Another recovering soldier that I've mentioned before has recently had quite a bit of media coverage. Please go check out the Caring Bridge page for Eric Edmundson and read through the last few Journal entries to see all the links to articles and news coverage. I do particularly want to pass on one link to a news interview

Friday, January 26, 2007

Meet Todd Larkin... Todd is a soldier serving in Afghanistan. He is also a humanitarian and my hero for the projects he undertakes for the Afghan children. He needs our help with these projects.

He is trying to get shoes, mittens, caps, coats and sweaters and other warm clothing to hand out to the children of Afghanistan - warm clothes for those without in the grip of winter. The clothes don't need to be new, but they do need to be clean. Toys are good, too!!!

Todd has also put together a cultural exchange program with some of the kids back home in Oklahoma and a school in Afghanistan Read the rest of her post HERE

and then as she suggests, check out Todd's blog Task Force Phoenix 5 and feel free to spread the word and pass this on! Thank you,and God bless our troops.

Sitting in the car with Lt. Col. Michael E. McLaughlin's 18-year-old daughter, her father's friend of 21 years had just broken the news of his death. During years of friendship and service in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, Lt. Col. McLauglin and retired Capt. Brad Mifsud had a bond so close that they promised each other if something were ever to happen to either one of them, they would be there for the other's family.

Lt. Col. McLaughlin died when a suicide bomber rushed through a crowd of Iraqi police recruits in Ramadi and detonated a bomb that also killed a Marine and nearly 80 Iraqis.

The day before the attack, Lt. Col. McLaughlin said he was fully confident that Ramadi had finally turned a corner in the insurgency. As hundreds of local men streamed into the Ramadi Glass Factory on Wednesday to join the city’s long-defunct police force, a wide grin spread over a pinch of tobacco stuffed into the 44-year-old’s lower lip.

"This may not look like much, but it's history," McLaughlin told a reporter. "We're making history right here."

With a significant wound to the back of his head, Lt. Col. McLaughlin turned to his injured personal security detail officers and inquired about their well-being. Waving off medical attention, he asked them to check on the soldiers under his command.

"In an act of extreme selflessness, he stated that he was OK, but to concentrate on saving the lives of his men," said Col. Grey Berrier, a close friend of Lt. Col. McLaughlin. Lt. Col. McLaughlin died shortly after giving that instruction, according to the Guard.

A long-time artillery officer in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, McLaughlin was assigned to Task Force 2-222 Field Artillery and was the primary liaison between the 2-28 Brigade Combat Team and local tribal and government leaders in Ramadi. His efforts were instrumental in getting local sheikhs to support the recruitment drive and encourage more than 1,000 area men to volunteer for the force, commanders said.

"Mike is a true hero in every sense of the word, and he died while doing his job the only way he knew how - out front and with great enthusiasm and courage," said Col. John L. Gronski, commander of the 2-28 BCT. "This loss only strengthens our resolve to carry on and complete the mission in order to honor his memory."

A gregarious wisecracker, McLaughlin said his hope was to one day return to a peaceful Iraq, where he planned to walk the streets of Ramadi in a traditional Arab "man dress," or dishdasha, and sip coffee and chai with those sheikhs he had met during the war. McLaughlin said that one particular tribal leader he had developed a close relationship with dubbed him "The Sheikh of Sheikhs" - a nickname that was soon picked up by fellow officers in the brigade.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

It Is Foolish And Wrong To Mourn The Men Who Died. Rather We Should Thank God That Such Men Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. If you would like to participate in honoring the brave men and women who serve this great country, you can find out how by clicking here.

I have posted frequently about the battle his wife was having with cancer, and then he and his family's loss of her on New Year's Eve. After you are done reading his tribute to Soldiers Angels,( which I think is so very wonderful of him during this difficult time,to be thinking of others and thanking them) please consider reading the rest of his posts about the funeral, and please remember to keep he and his family in your prayers. As we continue to do here.

(And I'd also like to ask that you keep my son's fiancee and her family in your prayers, over the recent loss of her grandfather.)

This will be a short post, but in honor of one of the US Army's newest recruits, I wanted to close with this video

UPDATE ON WEDNESDAY:

I think I've mentioned before that I'm prone to dorkiness Yesterday, my plans were to go out to the boyfriend's house to say goodbye to his son one last time before he left for Basic.He was supposed to be leaving at one p.m.

I got a call at 9:24 a.m., saying the plans had changed and he'd be leaving at TEN A.M.!! Yikes!(and they live a little over 30 minutes away!)

So I hurriedly drove out there (naturally observing all speed limit laws, for any police or corrections officers--hi,son--who might be reading this) and arrived shortly before 10. No time to get all 'gushy' or sentimental, it was basically one quick hug and then he was taking off.

Then he ran back into the house for something he forgot, and so I went to the door to wave goodbye as he got back into the car with his ride....and I somehow managed to trip and get my foot caught in the gap at the top of the wooden step and start to fall forwards, and then catch myself by grabbing the door as it swung away from me. ( I did this while WAVING with my HAND, for Pete's sake,got my FOOT caught!.....the classic definition of a dork, I believe)

This was not exactly the picture I wanted to leave him with, of the 'folks back home",rofl. Judging by the look on his face? he was most likely saying to his ride "for heaven's sakes, get me AWAY from here as fast as you can!"

The good part about it is that his Dad didn't have any time to get sad or sentimental right then about his only son leaving....he was bent over laughing too hard.

Saturday, January 20, 2007

I was without Internet service for a few days during a changeover in my service provider, and yikes! I think my blog is starting to look like I only post the Wednesday Hero blogroll!!

I used my time away from the blogosphere profitably,however, and finally read two of the three books I'd gotten for Christmas.Both books were every bit as good as I'd thought they'd be.

I first read American Mourning by Catherine Moy and Melanie Morgan I think the authors did a great job of non-judgementally portraying how grief affected the members of the Sheehan and Johnson families (although I seem to be in a minority in thinking that,lol, going by the reviews on Amazon...a lot of Cindy Sheehan supporters seemed to think that the authors had targeted Ms.Sheehan to make her look bad.)

My personal opinion,for whatever it is worth, is that grief is painful and difficult, and what made this book a compelling read was that the authors showed as best they could how unimaginably awful it is for Any family to lose a child to war, and struggle to come to terms with that. Each person in the families responded to their loss in different ways,and the authors were simply telling their stories. I can see why so many people recommended it, and I'm so glad I finally received it for Christmas, and got the chance to read it!! Definitely worth the read.

I then read Blood Brothers: Among the Soldiers of Ward 57 by Michael Weisskopf This was an amazing book. The author is a civilian reporter who lost his hand while embedded with a unit in Iraq, and besides telling his own story of recovery, he includes the stories of some of the soldiers he bonded with during that time. I think he did a wonderful job of capturing the comradery that exists among all the wounded who are struggling to put their lives back together. and while parts of the book moved me to tears, the overall message is one of faith,strength and hope, and a testament to the human spirit. A must read.

And that is the end of 'Book Reviews' from Kathi for today.I still have a Dean Koontz and John Grisham and W.E.B. Griffin book to read, and I also have to get a Valentine's care package put together (quickly!! time is running out to get it in the mail) and some correspondence with soldiers to catch up on.

And speaking of correspondence with soldiers? I'm a week late in passing this on ("real life" keeps intruding on web forays), but I wanted to pass on this call from the founder of Soldiers Angels

"To the 20,000 plus servicemembers and families.... Thank you from the bottom of our"freedom loving hearts" for serving our country! You all play crucial roles in defending freedom; what the family and loved ones do here in the states is equally appreciated as is the deployed servicemembers' role in the call to serve.

We want to extend to you, our support during the last phase of news that has extended your stay in Iraq. Soldiers' Angels, is an Internet-based nonprofit that matches thousands of soldiers with those willing to write or send care packages to them among many other projects. We are currently readying ourselves for a jump in the workload that will likely coincide with the increased troop levels.

We encourage the nation to stand up and support our servicemembers as well. "Our troops need you now!!!" You can quickly get involved at www.SoldiersAngels.org or feel free to email soldiersangelprteam@gmail.com or contact us at (615) 676-0239.

"Your call is important to us. Please leave a message including your name, email if possible and phone number and we will contact you within 24 hours."

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

This week I have three people to talk about. Roy Velez and his two sons, Jose and Andrew. One who was lost in Iraq and another who lost his life in Afghanistan.

It happens almost daily. A stranger reaches out to comfort Roy Velez, unintended symbol of unspeakable loss and grief. Today it's a woman who approaches as he's halfway through breakfast at Montelongo's Mexican restaurant.

"My brother told me about you and your sons," she says, extending her hand. He takes her small hand between his - this sturdy man who has buried two boys who went off to war - and listens gently as her own story of sorrow spills forth. Her 8-year-old daughter, a traffic accident, her son at the wheel. As waiters bustle about with trays of huevos rancheros and barbacoa plates, Mr. Velez does what he does best: offers up a soft prayer to help this mother endure her emptiness.

Strangers learn about Mr. Velez from newspapers and TV. They come to him to share their gratitude or their grief. They come to thank him and console him, tearfully, for his family's sacrifice.

This is how Mr. Velez chooses to live after losing two sons in two years, not riven with anger or paralyzed with sadness. But as someone ready for those who might slip into the darkness of despair.

For his strength for others, compassion and grace - and for serving as inspiration for anyone who knows his story - Mr. Velez is the 2006 Dallas Morning News Texan of the Year.

and I think I'm going to just refrain from endorsing any particular blog....too many great blogs are listed, and I just can't say "Pick this one or that one". Instead I will say, go by and check it out, and vote for your favorite!!

Friday, January 12, 2007

Sheesh, do they ever "go awry" or "gang aft a-gley", however you wish to say it :) Thursday morning my plans were to go shopping for some cards for soldiers, and then go to work.

Instead, I ended up going to the ER with chest pains, and then spending the night in the hospital and having a Stress Test on a treadmill this morning. THANKFULLY, there is NOTHING wrong with my heart after all :) they have decided it's probably GERD and I've been given medication to treat that. So,thanks,God! that it wasn't anything life threatening! :)

(and,FYI,Stress tests on a treadmill ARE very stressful,LOL,in case you were wondering.)

I'm grateful to my family and friends, for all the support and all the prayers....there was a time period yesterday morning when I gained a deeper understanding of the word "terrified". And thanks,also (I guess?lol) for all the folks in my family who quoted my own words back at me, to get me to go to the ER...."It's better to go find out it's Nothing, than to worry about what it Could be." (note to self for future...always remember that platitudes you quote to others can someday be quoted back to you, and probably at a very Appropriate time, which can irk you, if you are a control freak who thinks they are in the middle of a major medical episode,lol.)

Seriously,bless Emma for acting first and panicking later....always the best thing to do in a crisis. Bless Ben, for being concerned enough to shave 15 minutes off a 30 minute drive to get himself there to hug me (and bless God that no policemen noticed him doing that,lol.) And bless Tony for saying "Grab my hand and I'll say a prayer" in the ER,because in my terror at the time I could only get about as far as "God..." in any prayer of my own. I'm sure the good Lord knew what I was Trying to say, but it gave me some Peace, to hear someone else put it into words.

Thanks,( I THINK?) to April and Kyle, for waiting until today to make fun of how silly I was from the medication they gave me last night.:) (to my face,anyway,lol, I'm sure they walked out snickering at me last night.)

And,again, bless all the rest of my family, for the prayers they started, and the other folks they got to also start praying, as soon as they found out what was going on. I love you all!

Tuesday, January 9, 2007

Spc. Jordan William Hess 27 years old from Marysville, Washington Company C, 1st Battalion, 77th Armor Regiment December 5, 2006

"Specialist Hess died of wounds received on a battlefield upon which no markers or memorials exist, yet his name will be etched upon the small part of each of our hearts that has hardened to stone by the realization of his passing. I will take Specialist Jordan Hess’ name to my own grave, in the hope that I can somehow preserve the honorable life that he led,” said Capt. Ian Lauer, commander of Company C.

Spc. Hess was a study in contrasts who loved a challenge. He had a warrior's spirit and was thrilled at the chance to serve his county, his parents said from their home in Marysville.

He also was content to look for his muse in various forms of art, including glass-blowing, photography and poetry. It was this balance that people will remember most about the 26-year-old who was critically injured Nov. 11 in Ta'Meem, Iraq, when an IED detonated near his combat patrol.

A three-year veteran in the U.S. Army, Hess spent more than a year in Korea as well as time in Germany, always looking for an overseas assignment, Bill and Tammy Hess said. They knew their son was on his way to Kuwait the last time they spoke with him in October, and they suspected he had been deployed to Iraq as part of a tank unit when they didn’t hear from him for several weeks.

After his injury, Hess was flown back to the United States and treated for several weeks at the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. His parents, as well as his six brothers and one sister, were flown there to be with him. "None of us wanted to see him hurt like that," Bill Hess said. "But one of the greatest blessings in my life was that we were able to say goodbye."

Hess was an avid wrestler from the time he was young, and news of his death circulated at Lake Stevens High School, where he attended until 1999. "He was a strong-willed, independent young man with a unique sense of humor," the Lake Stevens wrestling coaches said in a statement. "The Lake Stevens wrestling community today feels a strong sense of loss."

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

We Have Every Right To Dream Heroic Dreams. Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. If you would like to participate in honoring the brave men and women who serve this great country, you can find out how by clicking here.

Heard from friend Paulette of My Rambling Mind that CBS news is down in Georgia doing a story about the upcoming deployment of the 3rd ID,she says check out the news TONIGHT.

Also heard from yet another soldier that I sent mail to last year, that he is leaving for a second tour......he's moved back up the prayer list!!

And hearing that news seems to me a good reminder to ask folks to please consider stopping by Soldiers Angels or Anysoldier.com or America Supports You and get involved in supporting our troops. I realize I'm probably "preaching to the choir" by posting this for the umpteenth time....but there is a very sobering post up on A Soldiers Perspective about the possible difference mail can make

The following news is WAY overdue.....don't know how I missed this? (well, yes, I do, lol, can you say 'dorks r us?")but I hadn't seen any new updates for quite awhile about Sgt.Kevin Downs, and then last night at the website, I realized there is a link called "A Home for Kevin"where since Nov.11,2006 (sheesh,am I slow or what???)postings have been going on there.Please go check it out,if you haven't already done so

There are also recent updates on both Sgt.Eric Edmundsen and Jose Pequeno ,please stop by there and let them, and their families ,know that they are not forgotten.

and speaking of people going in the Army,I'm not supposed to blog about it,lol, but a young man who is very close to our family is leaving for Basic this month(and he'll never know I posted this,cause he never reads my blog!!!)We're extremely proud of him,so best of luck "D"!!

Last week was a sobering week, I recieved nine names to send condolences to the families of fallen soldiers, for the Soldiers Angels Living Legends team I knew this would be a difficult team to be a part of, but I also think it's important to let the families of the fallen know that we are holding them in our hearts and prayers.

Sunday, January 7, 2007

I got a message on MySpace from an Army vet who had sent video footage to My War Diary on the Military channel (a show I've mentioned before). He'd been doing a search for something about the show, and stumbled across me.

He has longer clips posted on his MySpace page, which the show used footage from, and has given me his permission to post his link www.myspace.com/actionfigure73

Tuesday, January 2, 2007

Sgt. Brent Dunkleberger 29 years old from New Bloomfield, Pennsylvania 1st Calvary Division, 4th Brigade Combat Team December 11, 2006

Sgt. Dunkleberger was on his second tour of duty in Iraq when he was killed by an RPG when his convoy was attacked while on a security mission.

"We can't put into words right now the grief we feel, but we can put into words how proud we are of Brent. He chose to serve our country and give his life for what he believed in," said William Dunkleberger, Brent's father. "we thank the community for the outpouring of support and ask everyone to continue to pray for us. We also ask the media to respect our privacy during this very difficult time."

Sgt. Dunkleberger graduated high school in 1996 and enlisted in the United States Army in 2003 and became a tank driver for the 1st Calvary Division, 4th Brigade Combat Team. He is survived by his wife and four children.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

We Have Every Right To Dream Heroic Dreams. Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. If you would like to participate in honoring the brave men and women who serve this great country, you can find out how by clicking here.

About Me

Wife of an Army vet, daughter of an Army vet, granddaughter of a Navy vet,proud niece of an Army nurse who served in Vietnam,mother of 3 and stepmother to a currently serving Army MP..believe wholeheartedly in supporting our troops and veterans! Grandmother to 2 beautiful boys,love my life:)